SI20219A - Garage door panel construction - Google Patents

Abstract

A series of rectangular horizontal, garage door panels (10, 12) are joined together by integral hinge elements (36, 38, 40, 42) which enables the panels (10, 12) to be manufactured at a factory site and assembled at a construction site. The panels (10, 12) as well as the hinge elements (36, 38, 40, 42) may be fabricated from a fiberglass, reinforced, composite or other polymeric materials to enhance the durability of the garage door construction.

Description

CONSTRUCTION OF GARAGE DOORS FROM PANEL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the construction of a garage door, and more specifically, to a garage door consisting of several panels that are jointed together by a hinge along its horizontal edges, allowing the panels to be folded relative to one another by moving from a closed door position to an open and open door. vice versa. More specifically, the present invention relates to the construction of a garage door composed of reinforced polymer panels bonded to one another by a hinge along its edges. In addition, the joints can be folded or dismantled during field installation by interconnecting each other with the joint of the connected panel at an angle in excess of the maximum folding angle associated with the normal operation of the door.

Until now, garage doors have been made of wood, steel or composite materials. Such garage doors are typically made of a series of rectangular horizontal panels arranged one above the other to form a vertical multi-panel door. The joints connect the horizontal edges of the adjacent panels so that the panels can be folded with respect to one another as we move the door from closed to open or vice versa.

The construction of such doors using wood panels was useful, but the wood often deteriorates or breaks, and the wooden surface needs to be constantly repaired, for example by painting. The use of steel plates also has some downsides. Steel plates require considerable attention because they can rust. In addition, the surfaces of the steel plates can often be corroded and thus become ugly.

They suggested the use of polymeric materials to make garage doors that have more articulated panels. For example, Overhead Door Corp. from Dallas, Texas, provides a door panel that has an expanded urethane core in the center and a vinyl coating or layer on the outside. Other manufacturers offer similar types of door panels made of polymer materials.

However, problems remain with regard to such a door. It is difficult to maintain the mechanical integrity of such doors. Manufacturing processes can be expensive and complicated. Therefore, the need for improved garage door design has matured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In principle, the present invention encompasses multi-panel garage doors, each of which is typically rectangular, horizontal panels made of cast polymer or composite material. The panels are folded together by a hinge along their horizontal edges, so that the panels can be folded during the transition from closed to open. The panels include track wheel receivers, which allows the use of track rollers attached to the side edges of the track panels to guide the rails that guide the movement of the garage door between open and closed positions.

The hinge construction used to join the folded panels includes separate hinged sheets that are attached to one or the other of the close-lying panels, with one of the sheets typically having a cylindrical roll, and the other sheet having a semi-cylindrical part or a sliding arm it fits into the twist and is restrained between the twist and the molded surface that forms on the back of the cast door panel itself. The contact may include a track roller axis for receiving the track roller carrier axis. The folding sheets are made of metal or polymeric material and, in the normal operation of the garage door, fold together up to 74 ° with respect to each other, keeping the horizontal portions of the panels in contact with each other. Additional folding of the panels by more than 120 ° enables removal or unfolding or folding of the folding sheets together, thereby unbuttoning each other from one another to another. One of the hinge leaves also has side wings that overlap the joint and joint between the hinge leaves so that pinching points are eliminated.

As a consequence, the object of the invention is to provide improved garage door construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a construction of a garage door consisting of several horizontal rectangular panels interconnected along its horizontal edges so that they are interconnected as the door moves from closed to open position and vice versa.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a construction of garage door panels made of polymeric or composite reinforced polymeric materials in which the garage door panels are molded in one single operation and the garage door panels are adapted to receive folds or articulated sheets for ease of interaction assembly of garage door panels at the site of construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hinge structure for interconnecting garage door panels with hinges, wherein the hinge eliminates pinching points at the joints of the hinge sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of garage door panels, where the horizontal edges of the panels are so shaped as to reduce the number of pinching points among other adjacent panels or to eliminate them when the panels are stacked against one another.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved garage door panel and hinge structure in which the panels can be made with folding sheets already in the factory workshops and then shipped to the assembly site or construction site and easily assembled with one another.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved garage door construction, where the track rollers can be easily connected to and joined with the horizontal horizontal panels adjacent to one another.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a garage door construction which is economical in manufacture, easy to assemble, and where each of the separate components is mechanically solid.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be explained in the detailed description that follows.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following detailed description we will refer to the drawings shown in the following drawings:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the garage door panels as seen from the front or from the outside;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the panels of Figure 1 from the back;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of several panels;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the panels shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the assembled panels;

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a joint between adjacent panels;

Figure Ί is an enlarged lateral cross-sectional view of the panels of Figure 6 when assembled;

8 is an exploded isometric view of the hinge members;

Figure 9 is a side sectional view of the articulated sheet along line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a hinged member along line 10 --- 10 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an enlarged isometric view of the participating hinge members;

12 is an exploded isometric view of adjacent panels and joints of a joint; and

13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower edge of the lower panel in the construction of a garage door.

Description of preferred embodiments

Referring to the drawings, the present invention is incorporated into garage doors of a type that typically include rectangular, horizontal panels such as panels 10 and 12. Panels 10 and 12 are cast of polymer or composite materials, preferably materials known as polyester composites glass fiber reinforced. Panels 10, 12 are cast in one piece of such materials and provide a tough, impact and scratch-resistant surface that is aesthetically pleasing and can be cast to replace a raked or collapsed wooden structure. It is important that the 10, 12 plates are cast in one piece. In addition, all structural and iron mounting parts are poured into each plate 10, 12 so that it is not necessary to add other elements to the plates except the articulated elements, which will be described below. It should be noted that the joints described below can be cast from polymeric or composite materials, but can be made of metal. Lastly, the articulated elements described below are provided at the manufacturing site in each of the separate panels 10, 12. The panels 10, 12 can then be interconnected in the field or at the construction site.

The material from which the panels are made is typically a composite material composed of three (3) or more ingredients as follows: about 30% by weight of the material is fiberglass or reinforcing material; about 30% is filler material, such as mineral filler (for example, limestone); 30% is a polyester resin or other binder, and the other 10% is made up of various additives to improve the properties of the composite, such as slippage, rigidity, dielectric properties, color and the like. The composition of the material can be varied depending on the requirements of use. For example, in situations where high impact resistance is required, the reinforcing material (for example, fiberglass) should represent 50 or 60% by weight or volume of material, with the filler correspondingly reduced and the binder adapting accordingly. Unlike steel or wood panels, panels 10, 12 are rust and corrosion resistant, punch resistant, impact resistant, can be poured to reproduce wooden or other patterns and can be painted, painted or otherwise coated. The panels 10, 12 are made by a die-casting process and have an upward width of up to sixteen (16) feet or more and varying height, but range from two (2) to four (4) feet.

By using special starting materials or components in the production of panels 10 and 12, we provide increased structural integrity as well as thermal stability. That is, the material is stable at more than 400 ° F as well as at significantly low temperatures of -40 ° F and below. The material is more useful than vinyl or wooden frame doors or doors made of steel material or doors that have layers of other plastic coating materials. In addition, the construction of the panel, using the technique described and the materials described, allows for the design of very narrow tolerances that increase the characteristics of tapping safety and other characteristics of the door.

In view of the drawings, a typical rectangular plate 10 comprises side or side edges 14 and 16, an upper horizontal edge 18 and a lower horizontal edge 20. The plate 10 is cast as described above by a die-casting process. The panel 10 further comprises a front 22. The front 22 can be molded with a decorative pattern. The pattern may, for example, reproduce an enlarged pattern of wood, otherwise it may be of the desired aesthetic nature depending on the design of the mold. The thickness of the cast front 22 typically ranges between 0.100 + 0.062 or -0.0315, depending on specific requirements regarding the size and use of the garage door. For a typically cast assembly, all of the ribs described below will have the front and edges of the same thickness dimension, although we can vary all dimensions depending on the requirements of the door.

The upper edge 18 has a surface 21 with an arched, convexly shaped cross-section beginning to bend from the front 22. The upper edge 18 is opposite the straight or flat edge of the lower edge 20 of the next, vertically close to the supporting plate. In this way, when the panels 10, 12 are joined together, the lower edge 20 will move along the surface 21 defined by the upper edge 18 in order to minimize any gap or pinch points between the panels 10 and 12, when these panels 10, 12 interconnect. The elbow extension of edge 18 is approximately the same as the height of the reinforcement ribs on the back of panel 10, described below.

The front 22 has a back 24. The back 24 is usually straight and the back of the panel 10 has a solid cast rib structure such as ribs 26 and 28, Ribs 26 and 28 typically form a rectangular structure on the back 24. Ribs 26, 28 and some sub-lobes 30 and 32 are formed around the central portion 34 defined on the back of the horizontal panel. We can predict a larger number of central regions 34 in a horizontal arrangement depending on the width of the plate 10 between the lateral edges 14 and

16. It is important that the ribbed structure provides a way to keep the board rigid enough, but flexible enough to withstand certain impacts. Both the lateral edges 14 and 16 as well as the upper edges 18 and 20 include a rib structure that acts as a reinforcement of the plates 10, 12 and which are arranged around the central parts 34 by connecting ribs along the back of the plates 10, 12.

We also considered that parts of the central compartments 34 could be cut or removed and a window or lighting installed. For example, if a central part 34 is cut or removed, polycarbonate or transparent acrylic or other material may be installed as a window that is highly scratch resistant and non-crushing. Such window materials can be effectively secured or fastened to a panel, for example a panel

10. This also increases the flexibility of the structure and allows the use of manufacturing techniques at the factory headquarters.

At intervals along the upper edge 18 and the lower edge 20, reinforced fields or sections 36 and 38 for securing the articulated sheets are spaced apart. Thus, along the upper edge 18 there is a series of boxes 36 for attaching the articulated sheets. Boxes 36 have a molded thickness and a design so that they can accommodate the articulated sheet, as will be described later. Similarly, at the same intervals along the lower edge 20 of each panel 10, 12 there is a box or part 38 for securing the articulated sheet. Also, these boxes 38 represent reinforced portions of panels 10, 12 along the upper and lower edges 18, 20 at equally spaced intervals, such that the reinforced boxes 36, 38 are opposite to each other when panels 10, 12 are properly arranged side to side .

Boxes 36, 38 for the attachment of articulated sheets are of multiple use. They are used for folding each other apart from other bearing plates 10, 12 with joints with the participation of articulated sheets. They are used to attach the bottom edge scraper material to the bottom panel 12 in the door panel assembly 10, 12.

The box or part 36 for attaching the articulation sheet, together with the top edge of the panel 12, is adapted to receive the first articulation sheet 40. The adjacent and opposite articulation piece 38 for attaching the articulation sheet, in conjunction with the underside of the next adjacent panel 10, receives the second articulation sheet 42 , which is designed to cooperate with the first hinge sheet 40, just as the construction of the upper edge 18 of the plate 12. That is, the construction of the hinge sheets 40 and 42, as well as the edges of the plates 10, 12, is an important feature of the invention in terms of compatibility and installation procedures associated with panels 10, 12, which are used to construct a multi-panel garage door construction.

Thus, referring to the construction of the first hinge sheet 40, the sheet 40 includes a flat plate 44 having a series of openings 46 for receiving fasteners 48 for securing the hinge 44 to a field 36 for fastening the hinge. The plate 44 is connected to a cylindrical roller 50. The roller 50 has a bore 52, in which case there is a polygonal cross-section for receiving the axle connected to the track roller, as will be described later.

The first hinge sheet 40, when attached to the mounting box 36, defines a groove or arched passage 54 having a cylindrical configuration when viewed from the end of the hinge sheet 40. The groove 54 is defined by the space between the casting plate 12 and the casing 50 of the first hinge sheet 40. The function of the groove 54 will become clear with reference to the following description.

The second hinge sheet 42 also has a mounting plate 56 which has openings 58 for receiving the fasteners 60, so that it is possible to attach the hinge 56 to the mounting box or part 38 at the bottom of the adjacent adjacent panel 10. The hinge sheets 40 and 42 are thus arranged in opposite directions when panels 10 and 12 are sorted. The second hinge sheet 42 further includes an arched or semi-cylindrical part 62. The semi-cylindrical part or wing 62 has an axis for its radius of curvature identical to the axis of the bend 50 and bores 52. Thus, the wing or part 62 can be smoothly and easily fit or slide in the groove 54 and rotates about an axis defined by the axis of the sleeve 50. The cross-sectional shape of the semi-cylindrical portion 62 is substantially identical to and consistent with the shape of the groove 54. The circumference of the semi-cylindrical portion 62 may extend up to 120 ° of the circle in a preferred embodiment. The semi-cylindrical part 62 thus fits inside and defines the folding area of plate 12 relative to plate 10. In other words, the hinged sheets 40 and 42 can be mounted on plates 10, 12 in the factory. The second hinge sheet 42 can then be inserted as part of the upper panel 10 into the lower panel 12 in the field by folding the panels 10, 12 at a greater angle (for example 120 °) than their normal useful area (up to 74 ° for typical multi-panel doors ) when assembled or joined into the final construction of a garage door. Panels 10, 12 can thus be folded or disassembled for replacement, repair or for other reasons at the site of construction. As a result of this construction, dispatch of non-assembled panels can be carried out in a concise and efficient manner.

The semi-cylindrical portion 62 has a first lateral and second lateral wing 64 and 66 which fit on the side of the hinge 50 and in particular on the side of the groove 54, thereby excluding or preventing the groove 54 from forming a pinch point and thereby facilitating the classification of the second hinge sheet 42, when sheets 40, 42 are drawn up.

As described previously, the shutter 50 has a bore 52. The bore 52 is configured to accommodate an axis 68 that is connected to a track roller 70 that fits into a guide rail 72 that is connected to the sides of the garage door assembly. Thus, the lateral edges 14 and 16 of the panels 10 and 12 will include the track roller 70 connected thereto, the track roller 70 may have the same axis of rotation as the articulated sheets 40 and 42. The axis 68 may thus lie on the axis of rotation of the articulated articulated sheets 40 and 42 It is noteworthy that the axle 68 of the track roller 70 can be detached from the side to accommodate the track track 72.

The lower edge 20 of most of the lower panels 12 in a series of panels forming a garage door may have an extruded peripheral guard 74 designed to fit into the contour defined by the lower edge 20. The peripheral guard 74 is secured to the panel 12 s. fasteners that attach protection to the boxes 38. The peripheral protection 74 will typically comprise a groove 76 adapted to receive a flexible, rubber seal 78 or other material that acts as a seal. This way, the gasket can be easily mounted, removed or replaced. The lower gasket retainer or peripheral guard 74 is integrated as a whole with the lower door panel 12 and provides a method of securing the cable to the panels 10, 12, which is secure against plugging and provides additional security.

The entire assembly allows the construction of a door with a maximum of four (4) to six (6) millimeters gap, which is before you pinch at all moving positions or at all places of doors where the parts are moving together. It is noteworthy that the articulated sheets 40 and 42, in combination with the panels 10 and 12, can be easily greased and assembled at the construction site. Articulated Articles 40, 42 are not conventional articulated members and thus only allow the use of door panels designed for interconnecting, thus eliminating the risk of using components not designed for each other.

We consider changes in the construction of a composition within the scope of the invention. For example, the dimensions of panels, the number of articulated sheets associated with each panel, which can be joined together, the specific size and shape of the track rollers, the use or omission of door and window elements embedded in the panels, the arrangement of the arched edges of other horizontal horizontal members may be modified. panels, but we can incorporate various other changes in the construction of the garage door according to the invention. We can adjust the rib structure on the back of the panels. The decorative pattern on the front of the panels can also be rearranged or modified. Thus, while showing the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.

For RAYNOR GARAGE DOORS [US / US]; 1101 East River Road, P.O. Box 448, Dixon, IL 61021-0448 (US):

Claims (19)

1. Garage doors, comprising in combination: a first polymer-cast molded plate having a generally rectangular shape having a front face, opposite sides, a bottom edge and an upper edge; a second molded plate containing a polymer having a generally rectangular shape having a front face, opposite sides, a lower edge and an upper edge, said first and second plates having the same width, said first and second plates adjacent to each other along the lower or the upper edge, and the hinge members that connect the first and second panels along their boundary edges by attachment to one or the second panel, each of said hinge members being made up of first and second sheets fastened to the first or second panel and joined to they can be coupled to each other, said first sheet having a cylindrical support sleeve defining the axis of rotation of the joint with a plate extending from the sleeve, said sleeve and plate being made as a whole, said second sheet having a cylindrical sliding pocket receiving the cylindrical bolt of the first sheet and further includes the surface of the bearing sleeve for rotating support of the bearing sleeve iku of the first sheet, said second sheet further comprising at least one lateral wing formed at the outer edge, which covers the lateral edge of the cylindrical pocket as the hinge leaves fold. A door according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second side wings have opposite side edges of the second hinge sheet to cover the opposite side edges of the cylindrical pocket. Garage door according to claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric material consists of a mixture of polyester and fiberglass. Garage door according to claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric material contains a mixture having at least 30% polymer resin. Garage door according to claim 1, characterized in that an opening defining a passageway for light is made through at least one panel, and further a panel has a transparent polymer bar which is glued to the panel. Garage door according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second sheets are of cast material containing polymer. Garage door according to claim 1, characterized in that the first leaf bend has an axial bore for receiving the axle for the door track roller. A garage door according to claim 7 in combination with a door track roller of this type, including a door roller and an outwardly extending axle for joining it with a door. Garage door according to claim 1, characterized in that the edges of the panel adjacent to each other are opposite arched concave and convex surfaces extending from the front, defining a minimum gap between the panels throughout the folding area around the horizontal joint the axes between the plates. 10. Garage door joint made of molded polymeric material, characterized in that it comprises in combination: a first sheet with a flange for fixing to a door panel and an axle support bracket; a second sheet including a flange for fixing to a door plate, a bearing surface for a first leaf bend, a cylindrical pocket for receiving a cylindrical rib of the second sheet, said bend being rotatable on the bearing surface; said second sheet having a side wing at one end of the fold, said wing covering the pocket over a wide area of leaf folding. A joint according to claim 10, characterized in that the overlapping wings are provided at opposite ends of the compartment and the pocket in order to prevent lateral access to the pocket and to position the fused sheets in a row. 12. A multi-panel garage door comprising, in combination. a first polymeric, usually rectangular, cast horizontal garage door panel having an upper edge, a lower edge and opposite lateral edges; a second polymeric, usually rectangular, cast horizontal garage door panel which also has an upper edge, a lower edge and opposite lateral edges; the opposite side edges of the panels are vertically arranged, with the lower edge of the first panel opposite the upper edge of the second panel, said lower edge of said first panel defining an arched surface, said first and second panels also having a front, said fronts arranged vertically when doors in vertical closed position; said first and second panels interconnected for jointing with the joint, said joint consisting of a first sheet and a second sheet, which are attached to the first or second plate at the junction of the upper edge with the lower edge and defining a horizontal articulated folding axis first and second panels; said first hinge sheet comprising a cylindrical casing with a cylindrical outer surface and a plate extending outward from the cylindrical casing, said plate attached to the first plate; said second hinge sheet comprising a cylindrical wing slidingly fastened to the bolt and including a mounting plate extending therefrom attached to another plate, said cylindrical wing slidingly sliding into a pocket between the bolt and the inner surface of the first plate having said pocket is typically a cross-section that is consistent with the cross-section of the cylindrical wing, thereby allowing the panels to be folded with respect to one another between the vertical closed position of the door panels and the oblique position when the panels fold with respect to one another. Doors according to claim 12, characterized in that the folding region extends up to 80 °. A door according to claim 12, characterized in that the first and second panels include lateral side panels on the second folding sheet transversely to the axis of rotation and which cover the sides of each sheet. Door according to claim 12, characterized in that the shutter has an axial bore for receiving the axle of the rolling wheel axis of the garage door. Doors according to Claim 12, characterized in that they comprise an axle of the roller door of the garage door extending from the axis of rotation of the first leaf shutter. A door according to claim 12, characterized in that the panels comprise the front and the structure of the reinforcing ribs on the inside of the front. A door according to claim 12, characterized in that each of the first and second panels includes a box of folded sheet for mounting the respective folding sheets, said boxes being mounted on the inside of the front. A door according to claim 17, characterized in that the ribs form a structure defined by a rectangular frame of ribs around the circumference of the panel.